First released
 

My vote goes to Venturi , close runner up Keaton .

First released
 

Venturi, Keaton, Elpheage, Haslett are all tied for a first-place vote with me.

First released
 

Talman Gardner hands down. Cant understand why people are saying Venturi or Haslett. The d was in position to make the plays, they just didnt execute. Hopefully they will be able to takle a little better in the next game.

[Edited on 12/8/2003 by billybignuts]

First released
 

As much as it pains me, I agree with \"08\". Venturi needs to hit da road. Pre-Season or not, our defense was pathetic last night.

First released
 

Venturi might well need to go but I don\'t think you can base that off last night or off last season as far as that goes.

As far as last night goes, there are some things that MUST be taken into consideration. First off all this is not the defensive scheme we will see in the regular season. All you saw last night was the defensive front about as basic as it gets. No stunts, no nothing. Just taking their man one-on-one and evaluating how they did. To me, this was a smart move, because you definately want to know who can provide that pass rush on their own and not wait for the regular season to find out.

Usually the only preseason game you can really tell anything about is the 3rd one. This is usually the game where the starters player longer and you get a better idea of the real offensive and defensive packages that are going to be used.

You\'ve got to realize that coaches do things in the preseason to anwser questions they have about certain things and that might not coincide with what the fans want to see. And surely it wasn\'t Venturi\'s fault with all the missed tackles?

First released
 

Oh no! The sky is falling! The Saints (minus multiple starters) didn\'t look very good in their first preseason game! Now the whole season is over!

First released
 

Where have you been the last few seasons Fou? This isn\'t based on one preseason game, this is based on history with many variables factored into it. Yes, they looked sloppy because of the rust, yes there were many starters not playing much or at all. The fact remains, we still looked unprepared, lost and sometimes down-right ridiculous. Hmmm....didn\'t seem like the 3rd and 4th stringers for Philly missed too much of a step against us. Why is that? Maybe the coaching and the system?

First released
 

\"Where have you been the last few seasons Fou?\"

Well, 3 of the 4 people you mentioned have only had their job for one season or less, and Haslett is the only Saints coach in history to win a playoff game.

\"The fact remains, we still looked unprepared, lost and sometimes down-right ridiculous.\"

Good. We play the Eagles again in the regular season, so I would hope that the team wouldn\'t come out looking like they will in that game.

\"Hmmm....didn\'t seem like the 3rd and 4th stringers for Philly missed too much of a step against us.\"

Actually, I thought our 3rd and 4th stringers played pretty well.

First released
 

What three of the four are you referring to? You lost me on that one. But as for being the only coach to win a play-off game, whoopee!!!! Let\'s give him a life-long contract because he made it to the play-offs!!! What has he done since then? Please don\'t be so gullible as to let emotions get in the way of reality. I am a diehard Saints fan but we have to make it to the next level and this coaching staff are not the ones to do it. Talent won the play-off game, coaching is what got us to the point were we are now. Satisfied with where we are?

First released
 

\"What three of the four are you referring to?\"

Venturi, Keaton, Elpheage, and Haslett, the 4 people you mentioned as being tied for first place for being released is who I am referring to. You certainly have a short memory, something that many Saints fans seem to suffer from. Venturi has only been the defensive coordinator for 1 season. Keaton has only been with the Saints for 1 season. Elpheage is a rookie.

\"Talent won the play-off game, coaching is what got us to the point were we are now.\"

That\'s funny, considering many of our starters missed that game due to injury. When your second-stringers beat the reigning Super Bowl champions in the playoffs, you\'ve got to give at least some credit to the coaching staff.

The way you\'re talking, it would seem that we had a losing season last year. Check again; we were 9-7.

First released
 

To quote a fellow B&G member, (God, I hope he doesn\'t read this) You have an Offensive Coordinator that has never been in that postion before, hired by an ex-probowl defensive player who hasn\'t had a shut-down linebacker since he\'s been here. I could almost be sure that none of these coaches would be hired in their respective positions if the Saints decided to let them go. INCLUDING Venturi. Surely you won\'t argue that? As for the 3 of the 4 you referred to, where is the heralded wide reciever we recently picked up from Arena league that Dallas was so high on? Hmmm....maybe let go to make room for a kicker? How about let\'s give Keaton a few more years to develop and maybe become an average back-up, while, by-the-way, taking up roster space while we see if he pans out. Hey, here\'s another good idea, let\'s sign a great veteran like Gandy to shore up the offensive line and give leadership to the rookies. Ummm...of course the only thing he has been leading in so far is how many times you can hold and still get the crap knocked out of you. Think our empty spots from last year were addressed during free agency or the draft? Yeah, right. Blow smoke, but it all adds up to the same thing, taking too long to evaluate talent and poor coaching.

First released
 

If you can tell all that from one preseason game in which a few of our starters (including Carter, Deuce, Horn, and Bentley) didn\'t even play and most of the rest of the starters only played two series, then maybe you should take over as head coach.

Anyway, your point is moot. This is our coaching staff for the season. If you\'re a Saints fan, then you should support them, and save your b***hing at least until they play a real game. If the team has another December meltdown and fails to make the playoffs, then we can talk about getting a new coaching staff, but it\'s too late now.

First released
 

Man you guys need to just give up now. All of this doom and gloom is sickening. Give it a rest. One preseason loss or all four preseason losses doesn not mean an thing YET. I say again....YET. You guys do not sound like Saints fans. You sound like \"give ups\" or only a fan when they are winning. Things will change and improve. I think our coaching staff will survive. I\'m not a big Venturi fan either but you dance to the music thats playing and right now he is the D-coordinator. Don\'t fire the entire team after just one pre-season game.

First released
 

Archive it , Archive it .
Roflmao , he read it ........

December drop off ?? Repeatedly ......

Could part of the answer be an inexperienced coaching staff , one that does not know how to deal with the pressure that the final 4 games brings . Maybe ......

What is the difference between Hasletts staff in the first play off win and now ??? A defensive coordinator named Ron Zook . Zook had previous experience and knowledge of the position .

Rusty , is Joe Montana starting for the Saints tomorrow morning . Not players that have been in camp and mini camps all year long missing tackles and out of position . That is coaching .......

First released
 

I will say anything I feel. And if I choose to analyze the Saints without the Bulls*** emotions that you seem to have that\'s my choice. We may be stuck with this coaching staff, but this isn\'t the first time I\'ve harped about them. I\'m behind this team 100% but I can see past the crap they feed us. I\'m not singing gloom and doom, I\'m stating a point. We can and probably will beat teams with our talent at certain positions, but we will never out-coach one. My God, Saintz08 and I are seeing eye-to-eye, I need a beer!!! LOL!!!

First released
 

Here is the scenario that I see .
Haslett in all his infinite wisdom , Offensive coordinators that have never been , playing injured quarterbacks and instead of getting qualified personel to handle a vacancy promoting from within the organization .

Haslett had every opportunity to find a qualified defensive coordinator to handle the position after Zook left , instead he replaced Zook with Venturi .

For your review , here are Venturi\'s qualifications :

1968-1972 - Assistant Coach at Northwestern

Under head coach Alex Asage, the team goes 19-33 during Venturi\'s employment.

1968: 1-9
1969: 3-7
1970: 6-4
1971: 7-4
1972: 2-9

1973-76 - Assistant Coach at Purdue

Alex Asage must like Rick very much, because he brought him along for another magical mystery tour that yielded an 18-25-1 result.

1973: 5-6
1974: 4-6-1
1975: 4-7
1976: 5-6

1977 - Assistant Coach at Illinois

The team goes 3-8.

1978-1980 - Head Coach at Northwestern

Rick returns to his alma mater and amounts a superlative 1-31-1 record as a thank you.


1982-1993 - Assistant and Interim Head Coach with the Colts

The Colts go 50-93 during Rick\'s tenure...

1982: 0-8-1 (Total Yardage Defensive ranking: 24th)
1983: 7-9 (23rd)
1984: 4-12 (22nd)
1985: 5-11 (18th)
1986: 3-13 (25th)
1987: 9-6 (6th during the strike season)
1988: 9-7 (15th)
1989: 8-8 (25th)
1990: 7-9 (26th)
1991: 1-15 (1-10 as head coach) (21st)
1992: 9-7 (24th)
1993: 4-12 (27th)

1994-1995 - Assistant Coach with the Browns

1994: 11-5 (8th)
1995: 5-11 (24th)

1996-2002 - Assistant with Saints

1996: 3-13 (1-7 as head coach) (13th overall but 27th against the run)
1997: 6-10 (6th)
1998: 6-10 (16th)
1999: 3-13 (20th)
2000: 10-6 (11th)
2001: 7-9 (19th)
2002: 9-7 (28th)


Something impressed Haslett , not sure what it was ????

First released
 

I\'ll tell you my guees as to what it was......Benson saying \"if you want this head coaching position then agree to Venturi being D-coordinator\" I may be wrong but it is the only thing that makes since for not only picking Venturi for D-coord let alone keeping him around.

First released
 

Wow, I didnt know Venturi was that good!

First released
 

It\'s his winning tradion that certainly jumps out at you isn\'t it .....

First released
 

I just love Saints fans. Within 24 hours of the teams first preseason loss our faithfull fans are already calling for Venturi\'s head. Come on fellas even undrafted rookies usually get until the 3rd preseason game to redeem themselves. I realize Venturi\'s defence has never lit the world on fire but lets give this years unit a chance before we crucify coach Venturi

First released
 

Think we are going on year 2 here with Venturi at the defensive controls here .

How long does he get ???

First released
 

I\'ve tried to defend Venturi, but only because he has been defensive coordinater for 1 year and that\'s not enough time. If the defense doesn\'t finish 15th or better, then I say goodbye.

First released
 

Here is the Bio we should be reading about the Saints defensive coordinator .

When Ray Rhodes joined the Seahawks as defensive coordinator February 5, 2003, he knew the task that lay ahead. His job--continue a trend he’s enjoyed throughout his career of taking defenses that rank toward the bottom before his arrival and turning them around and fashion a top-10 squad. Rhodes wasted no time working to achieve that goal spending hours upon hours watching film and evaluating the 2002 Seattle defense the very day he was hired.
It was Rhodes’ defensive vision and motivation that helped retain key free agents LB Anthony Simmons and DE Antonio Cochran, and lure FS Damien Robinson and LB Randall Godfrey into the defensive fold.
Rhodes has 22 years of NFL experience as a coach, including 11 as either defensive coordinator or head coach. As a coordinator, only one of his defensive units has finished outside of the top 10.

First released
 

08 - thanks for the great information on Venturi. I had no idea that he had basically NEVER been on a team with a winning tradition or record during his tenure. That speaks volumes to me.

I say Venturi has to go NOW NOW NOW, even if that makes this whole season a scratch. He\'s that bad. Haslett is a \"young defensive minded\" coach who has watched this defense go from respectable, if not better than average (they did lead the league in sacks for a few years running) to outright silly. And I don\'t know about you, but I see Haslett still being more interested in the performance of the offense than the defense.

He can say whatever he wants, but the fact of the matter is that I don\'t see him calling plays for the defense (like a lot of people on this board thought he would). I don\'t see him standing next to Venturi or even talking to the guy during the game.

Bottom line is that our new look defense looked no better than last year\'s. Without a big improvement in that area in the next three weeks (how ridiculous does that sound?), it is going to be a LONG season.

And for all you crazies that are about to jump in and talk about how one preseason game causes doom and gloom... I\'ve been saying just this since January, so it has nothing to do with our first game and everything to do with HOW BAD OUR DEFENSE AND VENTURI STILL ARE.

First released
 

There\'s only one thing wrong with your theory. There have been no games played since January. So, the only thing you have to base your statement on since January is the one preseason game. You really have nothing to base it off of. Do you??

Venturi might need to go, but I think he at least deserves this year without everyone calling for his head before we play the first game.

First released
 

Ever thought that Haslett might be distancing himself from Venturi so that when it comes nut-cutting time he can lay the blame on the defense? And thus buying himself more time with the Saints by firing Venturi and hiring a different defensive coordinator? Just a thought..

First released
 

Yes. I have thought the same thing.

First released
 

Yes. I think we discussed this back in December or January when Venturi wasn\'t fired after last season. The problem is that without Vanturi no nut-cutting is necessary (at least the chances are better), so such a strategy wouldn\'t make much sense.
Just ask Grady Jackson if he thinks Haslett may blame someone else for the team\'s failure. ;)

First released
 

does anyone have wade phillips cell phone # off hand?

First released
 

No but you can look it up in Atlanta. Or just call the Falcons, i\'m sure he\'s at work. LOL

First released
 

I keep having this evil , wicked and nasty thought of who I would love to see wearing black and gold as a defensive coordinator , standing next to Haslett and giving him tude . Buddy Ryan . Who would win the ego battles ?????

First released
 

Have any opinions changed after tonight\'s game?

First released
 

nope .....

First released
 

My hasn\'t changed either. I still think the Brooks bashing crew will never be talent scouts in the NFL.